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October 15, 2013

Filthy Review - 'M is for Marriage'

M is for
Marriage (2013)

Review by Jude
Felton

For the
second time in as many weeks I’ve had the pleasure of checking out another
entry in the search for The 26th Director, for the upcoming The ABC’s
of Death Pt. 2. If the first anthology showed us anything, it was that there is
a wondrous world of horror out there; it’s a versatile genre that so few really
explore, outside of the usual suspects. Horror is a genre of trends; this week
haunted houses are in vogue, next week it will be something else. So, it’s
always a pleasure to watch a film where the filmmaker chooses to offer up fresh
and exciting material.

M is for
Marriage is directed by Todd E. Freeman, and focuses on a therapy session
between the doctor, played by Jeffrey Newman, and his patient, played by
Natalie Victoria. This is no ordinary therapy session though, and the practices,
and end results, are as much physical as they are psychological.

This is a 4
minute short film, and within its timeframe it manages to convey a strong story
coupled with a visceral punch to it. Of course, the real focus is the two
leads, and both are mesmeric in their performances; Newman delivers an unerring
intensity as the doctor, and Natalie Victoria shows another side to her acting skills, from
that which you may have seen in the underrated DeadHeads. I honestly think she is a terrific actor, and this belief is further bolstered here. Both the leads are required to
carry the short film, and both are more than up to the job.

In terms of
the film itself, it is a precursor to the planned feature length film from
Freeman, entitled Love Sick, and comes from a very personal place. However, I
also see it as a perfect bridge from his previous movie, Cell Count, into Love
Sick. Body horror is once again prevalent, although maybe not as you might
expect it. In my opinion you can definitely see Freeman’s fascination in the
psychological made physical, as a theme he enjoys working with.

Setting M is
for Marriage within the confines of the doctor’s office works perfectly; it
adds focus and intensity to the film, and also allows the technical aspect to
shine through.

This is
another terrific film from Freeman, and another excellent entry into the ABC’s
of Death contest, so don’t tell me that you don’t have 4 minutes to spare in order
to watch it!

You can vote for M is for Marriage here, after you have checked out the film below.